Theatre tactics
ISHITA AGARWAL
|
A workshop that taught the kids to be good citizens too.
|
PHOTO: RAJEEV BHATT
Encouraging talent: At a Katha workshop
In its endeavour to enthuse children to be part of the theatre scene, Katha, a non-government organisation, founded by Geeta Dharmarajan, had taken upon itself the task of starting a ten-day theatre workshop recently for children aged between eight and 14 years. Arvind Gaur, the theatre teacher, at the workshop, who enjoys training children, said, “. Teaching children is a challenge but I learn a lot from them too.” While some children are introverts, some just
cannot stop talking. Gaur’s task was to bring them all to a common platform through a variety of exercises, techniques and games that the kids usually enjoy. He let the students research and observe things on their own, which he later explored and elaborated to carve out the outlines for the plays.
Excellent experience
Eight-year-old Arushi Chopra, said, “The workshop is very nice and we learn many things. We played games. The teacher explains the script.” The workshop not only taught the children how to act but also how to play the character of a good individual in daily life, how to work as a team, public speaking, overcoming stage fear and carrying themselves with confidence were the key skills imparted to them at the workshop. Sumitra Khullar, just nine, said, “I liked making new friends and learnt to perform on stage.”
The workshop ended with a stage performance at New Delhi’s Indian Habitat Centre. In fact three plays were mounted which focused on subjects like leprosy, street children and communal rights.
Katha provides education to deprived children at a nominal fee. A van carrying teaching kit along with a teacher travels to various suburbs areas to stage the ‘Katha Tamasha Road Show’, the aim being to gather children and educate them.
Printer friendly
page
Send this article to Friends by
E-Mail
Young World
